And yet again in 1899, when brother Britons in Africa were suffering injustice, when our British colonies were being invaded and the Union Jack attacked by a mistaken foe, the Empire arose, and the bold refrain passed into chivalrous action.
In ships that ploughed furrows around the world the sons of the Empire came—colonists, yeomen and imperial forces—"in one united armament blent," to give their glad devotion in life or death for Queen and Union Ensign on the South African hills and veldt.
Such, then, is the story, such is the meaning of our Union Jack; the emblem of combined constitutional government, the proclaimer of British liberty, the Union sign of British rule, the signal of the Realm of "Great Britain and Ireland and of all the Britains beyond the seas."[199]
Mindful of its story, happy in their lot, facing the World, its sons and their sons' sons stand up to their Union Colours and encircle the earth with their glad anthem,
"Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the King."
"Qu'il soit victorieux, Et que son peuple heureux, Le comble de ses vœux: Vive le roi."